Eastern Illinois University announced on Mar. 25 that its beach volleyball team will travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the first Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) weekend of the 2026 season. The Panthers are scheduled to play four matches at the UTC Sports Complex from March 27-28.
The event is important as it marks EIU’s return to conference play after a two-week break and offers an opportunity for the team to improve its record and standings within the OVC.
EIU will face Morehead State and UT Martin on Friday, followed by matches against Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech on Saturday. The Panthers enter the weekend with a record of 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Their only win this season came against McKendree University at the Missouri State Tournament in February.
In their last outing before the break, EIU lost to Lindenwood in their OVC opener with a score of 5-0. Expected pairs for EIU include Laura Paniagua with Giorgia Cappelletti, Lilli Amettis with Sylvia Hasz, Tori Mohesky with Emma Schroeder, Alanys Nieves with Anaya Rawlinson, and Katie Kopshever with Jorah Rutter.
Morehead State comes into the weekend holding a 4-9 record overall and remains undefeated at 2-0 in OVC play under coach Sarah Martin. UT Martin has a current record of 6-3 overall but is winless in conference action; Jaclynn Wilson leads them as head coach. Chattanooga stands at 6-3 overall and won its last six games under coach Darin Van Horn since being named program’s first beach volleyball coach in 2019. Tennessee Tech enters with a record of 2-13; Isabella Borgiotti is serving her second year as head coach.
According to preseason polling results within the OVC, Chattanooga was picked first by coaches’ votes followed by UT Martin, Morehead State, Lindenwood, Tennessee Tech, and Eastern Illinois rounding out sixth place.
Senior Sylvia Hasz was recognized as an OVC player to watch this season after contributing significantly during both indoor and beach campaigns for EIU last year. Results from each match will be available following their conclusion.
